Website http://sij-parish.com St. John the Baptist (17th century) John the Baptist is depicted here as the Angel of the Desert, a theme which grew in popularity after the ,middle of the sixteenth century. One reason for this may be that John was the patron saint of Ivan the Terrible (ruled 1533-84), whose birthday fell on the Feast day commemorating the saint's beheading. However, the allusions here are not to John's martyrdom, but to his role as a wandering preacher. The staff in his hand signals that he has travelled a great distance, while the infant in the chalice is a token of the new life that can be gained through Christ. In the background, the tree with the axe recalls the Baptist's message, as recorded in St Luke's Gospel, about the coming judgment and the need for repentance: ‘And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.’ In keeping with normal icon practice, the scale is governed by spiritual rather than natural laws and the disproportionate size of the saint reflects his importance. Second Sunday of Advent December 9, 2007 Page Two First Sunday of Advent December 2, 2007 RORATY: How is Roraty celebrated today? Roraty is a pre-dawn Discovering a Polish Advent Tradition Mass that “tests” the vigilant readiness of the faithful. Day by day, participants prepare to welcome the “Lord of Light.” At the beginning of Mass, the Church is almost completely dark. Gradually candles are lit on the altar and among the congregation. The seven candles in a Menorah-like candelabrum originally symbolized Polish medieval society and included the king, cardinal-primate, a senator, a nobleman, a knight, a townsman, and a peasant. Roraty began during the reign of Boleslaw V (1226-1229), who was the husband of St. Kinga. From all accounts, Roraty at Wawel Cathedral was an awesome event. The king and six representatives of Polish society processed to the altar to light their candles. Each described his role in Rorate coeli desuper, et nubes pluant justum. prayerful dedication, it was a commitment to Christ, each Aperiatur terra, et germinet Salvatorem. concluded with: “Only then shall I be ready for Judgment Day.” The ancient Roman chant Rorate Coeli offers us both a plaintive cry for the promised Savior and vibrant, if veiled, The original sense of Roraty was rooted in the historical imagery of the Incarnation. birth of Jesus and the Eucharist, but it was also highly eschatological. In Mazowsze and Podlasie, there was a Drop down, Dew from Heaven unique “summoning” of the faithful to Roraty. The ligawka, and let the clouds rain the Just One. a wooden horn (often three yards long) was sounded to Earth, be opened, and give birth to the Savior. announce pre-dawn Advent Mass. It too recalled for many the angelic trumpet blasts that would herald the end of the The Rorate Coeli captures the mood of a “waiting world. people”... a people who have suffered, who have been exiled, but who have not forgotten God or His promises. It Roraty is a particularly beautiful Advent custom I poetically describes the fruitful encounter of Heaven and “discovered” not as an “outsider,” but as a spiritual Earth, the one-ness of the Divine and the human. This “explorer.” There is something “Eliotesque” in my discovery. mystical chant is part of the rich legacy of the universal In a certain sense, I feel what he must have felt as an Church. It is an Advent “treasure.” American who came face to face with his origins. Eliot's remains are interred in the village Church at East Coker, the Like other kinds of “treasure,” the Rorate Coeli represents Church where hiss ancestors worshiped centuries before. past glory, not present experience. It needs to be His epitaph is a quote from his poem, “East Coker”: discovered or rediscovered. There is a powerful quote from T.S. Eliot's “Little Gidding,” the last of his Four Quartets. “In my beginnings is my end.” We shall not cease from exploration Advent continues to challenge us to be true to our And the end of all our exploring “beginning”" and ready for our “end.” Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time. – Fr. Luczak Yes, as Catholics, we should all be explorers — explorers of Catholic traditions and Catholic cultures. What an adventure lies before us! Advent has always intrigued me. In my first parish, St. Philomena, it was our custom to celebrate Advent services on Sunday evenings. There was a St. Nicholas Vespers that emphasized German heritage, an Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration in which we shared beautiful Mexican customs and an adaptation of Roraty, a Polish Advent Service. Roraty, which was inspired by the Rorate Coeli, is a preparation for Christ's Coming. It is unusual in that it reflects all three senses of His coming — in history, the Sacraments, and on Judgment Day. December 9, 2007 Second Sunday of Advent Page Three OPLATKI: From Poland, A Gift Of Faith and Culture A time-honored tradition, a cherished family custom... the breaking and sharing of Oplatki (the Christmas Wafer) lends profound and beautiful expression to the most authentic Christmas spirit. In Poland, the Christmas Wafer is a symbol of shared love, joy, peace, and forgiveness among family and friends. The word Oplatki is a Polish form of the Latin Oblatum, which means "an offering." The gesture of breaking and sharing bread further nuances the meaning of the Christmas Wafer. Breaking and sharing bread is a universal sign of welcome and hospitality. If the offering and breaking of bread could be described in a single phrase, it would be: "Share our life." Oplatki has its own context. It begins a highly symbolic and beautiful Christmas Eve dinner called Wigilia. With the appearance of the first star in the evening sky, family and guests assemble around a festive table. The table is set with an extra place. Should a stranger appear, he or she will be offered this place of honor. For, Poles believe that "A guest in the house is like God in the house." Under a fine linen or embroidered tablecloth, there will always be straw. This custom unites all in the desire that Christ may be in their midst at Wigilia as He was in the manger in Bethlehem more than two thousand years ago. Beginning with-the heads of the household, the wafer is broken. Facing each other, wishes for health, peace, and happiness are exchanged. Often, there is another wish expressed - that all may meet in heaven. The breaking and sharing of Oplatki continues among those assembled. Relationships are renewed and sometimes repaired in this simple, faith-filled gesture. If anyone from the circle of family and close friends is absent, a piece of Christmas Wafer is sent to him or her. In that way, those separated by distance or other circumstances can still share in the love and unity of the Wigilia feast. Dinner follows the sharing of Oplatki. Twelve meatless courses symbolize the twelve apostles. After caroling, family and friends prepare to attend the Pasterka, Midnight Mass, reconciled and renewed in the spirit of love. Thus, those near and far away are truly ONE at Christmas. - Fr. Luczak Blessed Oplatki is available in the Rectory Office. Discover or restore a beautiful Christmas custom! Keep a tradition vibrant in your home... A Blessed Christmas! December 9, 2007 Second Sunday of Advent Page Four Stewardship –------------------------------------------------ Sunday Collections Weekly (This Year) 12/2/07 - $12,471.78 (Last year) 12/5/06 - $11,720.71 We must be good stewards of God's gifts to us, receiving them gratefully and cultivating them with care lest we be the ones about whom John the Baptist speaks today: “Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” The Sacrament of Reconciliation will also be offered SPIRITUAL nd from 11:00 a.m. – Noon on Saturday, December 22 , LIFE in the Reconciliation Room. There will be no Reconciliation on Saturday, December 29th. PRAYER WHEN LIGHTING YOUR ADVENT CANDLE RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (Light the first candle on your Advent Wreath or just a If you are interested in a spiritual process of prayer, candle and pray—) study, discussion and involvement in the life of the faith community, which could lead one to being baptized, “God of hope, we thank you for the hope of the received into the full communion of the Catholic Church, Messiah. We thank you for Zechariah and Elizabeth or completing their Catholic initiation, please contact who trusted and hoped in your promise to them. Help us Dee Stanton or Joyce Mills at 847/966-1180. They will to trust and hope in your promises to us. We need to be be happy to talk to you about the RCIA. reassured every day. We rejoice in the joy of hope you bring us. Help us to understand something of the HELP DECORATE THE mystery of the Messiah and share hope with someone HOLY FAMILY ROOM TREE who is hopeless. Amen.” Each family/ household is WORK OF HUMAN HANDS SALE TODAY! invited to help decorate our “family” Christmas tree in the The Work of Human Hands Sale is being held in the Holy Family Room by donating Holy Family Room after all Masses today. Sponsored one ornament for it. The by the Spiritual Life Commission it is an opportunity to ornament can be a reflection of help artisans in developing countries or areas to help your ethnic/ cultural heritage.